[MD] in defence of the "relative"

[Ham Priday]

Hey, John --

[Ham, previously]:


> Existence is a relational system, as I have pointed out many times.
> Difference is its primary characteristic.

[John replies]:
> Well Ham, this is where the rub is, then.  Is it difference or
> preference that is the primary characteristic of existence?
> I say preference.  The existence of a pull toward Quality is
> what creates the perceived differences of experience.
> Just like the pull of gravity puts the inorganic matter of
> the cosmos into orbital relationship.
>
> I guess until we can harmonize on this fundamental 'difference',
> we'll have to continue to agree to disagree, albeit agreeably.

Since I'm a strong believer in value preferences, I don't see that we have a 
major disagreement.

I didn't say "difference" was the fundamental reality, but only that it is 
the "primary characteristic" of existence.  Indeed, there must be difference 
in order to have a preference.  When you exercise a preference, you are 
freely choosing the value of one thing relative to others.  Physical forces 
like gravity and magnetism have nothing to do with free choice because the 
objects that are "pulled" by these forces are not making preferences.  It 
isn't gravity that attracts you to a beautiful woman or draws you to a 
sumptuous dish.  It's your value sensibility.  Furthermore, your preferences 
are likely to be different than mine, which indicates that values are 
relative to the individual who responds to them.

Now, I do agree that Value is the essence of all experience and the copula 
between awareness and being.  That makes it fundamental to being-aware, 
which is the nature of our existence.  So, in that sense, Value is what 
actualizes the phenomena that we perceive as a differentiated, relational 
world.

I suspect that we're arguing over semantics here, rather than metaphysical 
principles.  Like everything else in existence, my conception of reality is 
relative to my values and will be expressed in those terms. Nonethless, I am 
still able to relate to your values and concepts.  So our worldviews can't 
be all that irreconcilable, can they, John?  .

Ham the disagreeable being agreeable.